SENIOR Q&A: Seniors driving, health care

Tuesday

Apr 11, 2017 at 9:17 AM

By Debbie Gitner and Linda Sullivan

Q: My father insists on driving but I am not sure he should be driving. I went out with him and had him drive. He got too close to cars and did not turn his body around when backing up. He drove slowly but it was actually too slow. How should I approach the subject with my father and what options are there for my father if he stops driving?

A: This is the hardest topic for all children to have with their parent(s). Driving is their independence and taking that away can cause some people to feel hopeless, sad, angry and other emotions. However, keeping your father safe is what is important. Before you have any discussion with your father you need to have a plan in place of what will take the place of your father driving. Will you be the designated driver, will someone from a home care agency take over that task, will you arrange transportation with a taxi company or Uber, or is there transportation available for your father where he lives through the Council on Aging?If you are interested in reading on how best to decide if someone should be driving and how to have the conversation, the Hartford Center for Mature Market Excellence has some good reading materials. https://www.thehartford.com/resources/mature-market-excellence/exercise-for-mature-drivers

AAA also has information on senior driving at http://seniordriving.aaa.com/. They offer a car fit clinic to check the ‘fit’ of the senior to the car. An example of a recommendation can be to change the mirrors to convex versions to increase visibility and to help someone who has difficulty turning their body/neck.

In Massachusetts you can contact the Medical Affairs Bureau at the RMV. The website is:www.massrmv.com If your father gives up his license he is entitled to a free identify card. This can be used at medical appointments for I.D., travel etc.

There are a number of sites in Massachusetts where your father could be tested. The test includes cognitive testing, reflexes, decision making and it is given by both PT and OT. There is a fee for the testing and often the insurance does not cover. Contact us if you would like the names of companies for a driving test in Massachusetts.

Q: I am my aunt’s health care agent and I am trying to provide everything for her as well as plan for the future. From reading the newspaper and listening to the news reports is there any advice you can give me to best prepare for my aunt who is doing well now but will eventually require medical care and who may need to rely upon Medicaid?

A: That is an excellent question and one that we can try to answer today, but as you read the news and listen to television there are many variables. What we are currently hearing (but please remember next month we could have a different answer) is President’s Trump’s vision of Medicaid is to give states a certain amount of money based on a per capita program and allow the states the autonomy to decide how to spend it. The fixed amount will cover programs for seniors, disabled adults, children etc. According to the Congressional budget calculations, states will get less money and it will be up to the state to cut budgets or raise revenue by increasing taxes or other means. The Federal Government may design the program to decide who is eligible for Medicaid. As we hear more we will pass it along to our readers.

Debbie Gitner, LCSW, C-SWCM, is vice president of the New England Chapter of Geriatric Care Managers. Linda Sullivan, R.N., C.M.C., is a registered nurse and certified care manager. Together they are owners of ElderCare Resource Services in Marlborough, helping families navigate resources for seniors. Contact them at 508-879-7008; toll free at 866-280-2308 or visit eldercareresourceservices.com.